@MinnesotaMary - Gorgeous - I love them !!!

Well, the project keeps moving along. Painters are here today painting three refinished ceilings - kitchen, sunroom and family room. I may have mentioned the kitchen re-do turned into more. Pretty sure DH said let's not have this baby grow. But he also has a keen eye for what looks good so I'm lucky there.

I think the cabinets will be built and finished next. week and installed the week after. Fingers crossed.

Most of my decisions have been made - whew, there are a lot! Once I decided on a white kitchen and found by slab(s), I thought the hard part was over. Nope.

I found this Taj Mahal slab after looking at several stone yards. No easy feat in the height of covid. We are using the TM on the back splash as well. Except in the bar area where I found a lovely chevron that ties everything together. Here is the quartzite. It's warmer in person - this stuff does not photograph well.

The chevron back splash is below on the left. The card on the right is a porcelain that comes in full slabs and I am using that on the center of my fireplace - floor to ceiling. The architectural stone on the bottom of the photo will flank the porcelain - tall columns that are 2 feet wide. The porcelain will be 5 feet wide. Sconces on the "columns."

Maybe one of the toughest decisions was which white paint to use on the cabinets. My designer suggested we paint the cabinets, walls, trim and ceiling all the same white (there is very little wall.) I used Samplesize to get several contenders and then narrowed it down to two - BM White Dove and Simply White. Had the cabinet shop make up both and made my decision. It's amazing how many whites there are!

The winner was White Dove.

The island will be cherry and stained the same color as my floors.

Next hardest was the sink and faucet - again, so many choices. I have had a stainless double undermount sink the past 23 years and initially thought I would just do the same. But after reading a lot here on Houzz, I am pivoting big time to a 36" single bowl Kohler Whitehaven in sea salt. The color is beautiful. I hope its performance will be as amazing as its looks. And because I am making this kitchen just the way I want it (not for a future buyer), I decided to go with the soft gold/bronze on the faucet and hardware. I chose the Brizo Litze in luxe gold with the knarled handle. The first photo is more representative of the color and the second one shows the handle.

It has been challenging looking for hardware - so far all online and with advice from folks here on Houzz. I don't have the faucet in my hands yet so will wait until I do so I can do a "live" match before I make a final decision but I think I am going with the Top Knobs Ascendra in honey bronze. As I said, the the truer color of the Brizo is in the top photo but I only saw it in person once. Did I say what a pain covid is?

I also selected these pendants for over the island. I just love them.

Oh! And I am having the vent hood cover hand painted - the cabinet shop will paint the bottom piece and an artist will paint the top similar to this but with more of an aged bronze. Still waiting to see samples.

So that's an update here in Construction City. Things are moving along pretty well with no big snafus yet. Let's hope it stays that way!

It's a snowball in August! :) Thanks for the update and I hope you're surviving the construction - been there, done that. Love your lights too and I'm happy for you that everything is marching along!

@MinnesotaMary - Looking good. Can't wait to see the final pics.

I just wanted to say “WOW” - your floors are absolutely beautiful! It’s exciting to see how refinishing 20 year old floors can make them look like you’ve installed completely new hardwoods I’m getting ready to do the same thing. Not as big of a renovation as you are doing - layout will stay the same - except extend island and add more cabinets along one wall. BUT - it still feels a bit overwhelming.

I remember being “in love“ with my kitchen when we built our house 24 years ago. EVERYONE loved my kitchen. I actually had the builder replace the original kitchen with a kitchen from a larger house. I was in my mid 20s - and when I took my mom through the model, she immediately asked, “Are you changing the layout in here???!!” I’m half Italian (obv from my mom based upon her reaction to the original kitchen!) - love to cook - and needed an open kitchen with a ton of prep space. I asked for my island to be all counter height and the builder/my best friend/neighbor/ex-husband all looked at me like I was crazy. I saw one in a custom home that we toured while picking out our new home - and was in love with it. It made so much more sense to me than having the end raised to bar height - allowed my little girls access to help with baking and prep work because they could sit a barstool and reach the countertop.

I am now feeling REALLY OLD!!! Please excuse my side trip down memory lane - I blame all my crazy hormones!! I believe I read in one of your posts something about all of this remodeling causing hot flashes - I’m getting one just typing this!! NO ONE ever warned me about this whole peri menopause transition - I seriously feel like I’m losing my mind at times. I’m causing also causing everyone to freeze at my house - my SO was wearing a sweatshirt/jeans (had been 90 degrees out that day) AND a glove last Friday night! And - no - that’s not a typo in the previous sentence - ONE glove. Apparently, he couldn’t hold his beer without wearing one. He asked for an extra blanket when we went to bed - he already had sole use of the king size linen duvet (with 700 fill down insert).

If men went through “menopause” - there would have been a complete remedy years ago (Viagra so 70/80/90 yr old men can be happy but who cares about women in their 30s/40s/50s - I am thankful that my hormones didn’t start acting like they are on crack till this past year!) And for those youngsters out there - hormone replacement therapy does not = a complete remedy - at least not while my doctor is trying to figure out what exactly to do for me.

FYI - my statement re: men and menopause is not “bashing” men - just trying to add a little humor about it all!

Okay - I’m going to go grab an ice pack and lay down for a bit!!!

@dani_m08, your post made me laugh! And I needed a good laugh, so thanks.

looks great.

Well, well, well. I see that 3 weeks ago I was hoping for cabinets. That was wishful thinking or the first big snafu. I could whine about it but have just decided there are more important things in life to get worked up about.

And while I am not holding my breath, they are supposed to go in Tuesday and Wednesday this week. Fireplace - porcelain slab on Monday and ledge stone on Tuesday. Appliances delivered Wednesday and quartzite measure Thursday. I will be out of town breathing deep at our lake home while all that is going on. I trust my contractor; my husband can't take the chaos. So we are lucky to be in the north woods watching the leaves turn!

I finalized my hardware decision - Emtek Freestone in satin brass. Still deciding on sizing but am going with all pulls. DH has big 'ol bear paws and is more apt to use a pull more effectively. Also decided on ceiling LEDs and those went in earlier this week. I didn't think I would get excited about ceiling lights but I love the way these look. Here is the hardware:

And these are the ceiling lights we decided on. I love the slim profile and that you can select your "color" choice from 2700 - 5000. We had them set at 3000 and we will evaluate that once the cabinets are installed.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Halo-HLB-4-in-Selectable-CCT-New-Construction-or-Remodel-Canless-Recessed-Integrated-LED-Kit-HLB4069FS1EMWR/306050711

So I will hopefully have a much more exciting post next time. Just thought I would update for those of you following along. Stay tuned!

@MinnesotaMary - Well I'm glad you aren't getting too upset. Things happen and it will be worth waiting for. Loving all your choices. I just wanted to make a comment on your hardware. It's hard to tell from the photo, but many have commented on that style pull. They say that clothes like long sleeves and belt loops etc, can get stuck on the ends. They recommend something like with a closed end like your Top Knob Ascendra choice for that reason. Just thought I'd mention that in case that may be an issue for you. Can't wait to see everything when it's done. I THINK my plan is finished. I'm a bit leary as I placed my double ovens on the far right and I'm afraid that coming in from the foyer it may be too closed in. I think that's where yours will be so I'm probably obsessing over nothing. Just yesterday I was rethinking my appliances choices to avoid the seam by my cooktop, but I realized I have to just let that go. Keep up posted - it's going to look great.

@MinnesotaMary you've come a long way. Excited to see your new kitchen. What a journey since you first posted.

Agree with Design girl - super fun pulls but I have heard about those ends catching things too. Color adjustable lights are sort of genius.

Mary, I just read through this thread and congratulations on your kitchen. I can't wait to see it complete. We are downsizing and wanted to let you know I selected the same pendant lights in gold. My kitchen will be white perimeter with bluish/gray island. I selected pulls from Atlas hardware. Good luck!

Thanks for the feedback. Ack! on the pulls. I have read about "pants-catcher" pulls but wondered if that's really an issue. I have ordered several samples from a few different companies and had settled on Emtek because I like how it feels and looks - the color is perfect. Did a little more digging and found this one also be Emtek. More utilitarian?

I also read that Schaub and Emtek are part of the same company so perhaps their satin brass color would work. But Emtek is solid brass and Schaub is zinc. Does that matter? Here is one from Schaub I like.

@Rachel, how crazy you ordered the same pendant! I love them. Which Atlas pull did you order? I am trying to match the finish on the Brizo Litze (gold luxe) and I think I read that Atlas champagne is a good match? I saw the Sutton but it doesn't have a lot of size options.

I really love the Freestone but not if they will annoy the heck out of me. Advice, anyone?

@Design Girl, glad to hear things are moving forward for you. I reached a point with my floor plan where I had to stop going over and over it and just trust myself. I'm sure you are just about there!

Mary, here is the Atlas pull I am using. And yes, I flipped when I saw that pendant! It really is unique . . . like nothing else I saw. I think the style is called sleek and I ordered these in the 7.5" size. They really feel good in the hand which was important to me. There is also a style called thin pull which I strongly considered. Hubby really weighed in and wanted the sleek. They are pricey, but I know I'll enjoy them every day. The Atlas finish is a really good match with the faucet. I expect the pendants will be a bit brighter.

Atlas Homewares Sleek 6-5/16 Inch Center to Center Champagne Cabinet Pull A849-C · More Info

Sorry, the other pull is called "thin square". I think my taste may run a bit more contemporary than yours so these may not be good options. But I think you'll be very happy with Atlas quality. I had a few samples from Top Knobs, but I liked the Atlas better.

@Rachel, thanks for posting your pull selection - very pretty. I ordered Top Knobs, too, and wasn't as impressed. I will take another look at Atlas. Did you go with the Brizo luxe gold faucet? I do not have it in hand yet (don't get me started on that!) but I have a small sample chip of the finish. I know the pendants will be a bit brighter but will still work. Can't wait to see it all come together! Hope your project is going well.

I purchased the Delta Trinsic faucet in champagne bronze. (I also bought one in the smaller size for a prep sink at a coffee bar!) As I understand it Mary, Brizo is the upscale line of Delta and the colors are the same even though they have different names. The Top Knobs and Atlas pulls are more muted than the ones you are showing which are a brighter gold. I think the Visual Comfort pendants will be a bit brighter than our faucets, but I'm ok with mixing the metals. Since there are so many pulls in the kitchen, I did not want them to be too bright. Yes, the Atlas Hardware felt much more luxe to me than the Top Knobs, though I know many people rave about them. I'm a very tactile person, so it is important that something like kitchen pulls are comfortable and feel good in the hand . . . and not only look pretty. I purchased a few styles online for $5 a piece because I had to see how they felt, lol.

The Atlas finish "Champagne" will match your faucet the best. The "French Gold" is yellower. Take a look at this Browning pull. https://www.atlashomewaresdirect.com/cabinet-hardware/finishes/champagne/327-cm-browning-pull-6-5-16-inch-c-c.html

There seems to be some contradictions about whether Delta's champagne bronze and Brizo's gold luxe are the same finish. Apparently, this designer spells it out - at least in her opinion! It's so difficult to get into showrooms with covid so I have been flying a bit blind. I would say the Brizo finish is a soft gold (definitely not French gold) so more like a champagne. I think I will order an Atlas sample and compare with Emtek.

The Browning looks nice but I wonder if I would still have the "pants-catcher" issue?

https://theevansedit.com/2020/06/11/brizo-luxe-gold-cheat-sheet/

Mary, you may be correct regarding the colors from Brizo to Delta. When I selected this finish at Fergusons in 2019 (yes, it has been that long) they looked the same to me, but I did not see them right next to each other. So I'd say they are close. From the link you provided, I think the Brizo may be a little brighter. Yes, I'd avoid the pants-catcher pulls as well. If there is a way to be a klutz, I'll find it . . . especially in the kitchen.

Yes, I can see in the link they do differ, but are very close.

This is from the link (for what it's worth) if others are interested in reading about the differences. If I ever actually get my faucet - and we need it by Thursday for the stone measure - I would know for certain what actually works. I have a feeling I will be ordering a new air switch once I see what my plumber ordered. Apparently Rocky Mountain has a finish that matches Gold Luxe exactly. I didn't realize it at the time I ordered. Since the air switch will be right next to the faucet, it's more important to me that they match. The search continues...

From the link above:

Is This The Same As Delta’s Champagne Bronze?

Before we dive into each of these items above( links are below) let’s address a mistake I almost made.

Is Brizo’s “Luxe Gold” finish interchangeable with Delta’s “Champagne Bronze”? I mean Delta OWNS Brizo…they look similar…they’re probably the same right?

No…no they’re not.

Brizo’s Luxe Gold is lighter, less “gold-y”. Delta’s Champagne Bronze is deeper and would mix easily with standard brass options.

Yes, Mary you really need to see your faucet in person. I don't think these finishes photograph well. When I decided to go with Champagne Bronze, Delta did not have any samples to send me of the finish. I ended up going on Ebay and purchasing a used replacement bathroom faucet handle so I had a sample. It looked funny, but it did the trick. Matching shower hardware in the bathroom has proven more problematic than cabinet hardware. And in both kitchen and master bath, the lighting fixtures will be gold.

I just read through and am now following! So exciting. Can’t wait to see the end.

So excited to see the finished kitchen. LOVE your pendants that you selected.

Also wanted to say that Atlas is owned by Top Knobs. From Atlas, you'll probably want the Champagne finish and from TK, you'll want Honey Bronze. I have a little bit of both in my kitchen and have been very happy with both.

Mary, did you find kitchen pulls that you like to match your Brizo faucet? I'd love to see what you selected.

@Rachel, I ordered the two pictured above - the Alexander from Emtek and the Menlo Park from Shaub. My faucet is supposed to be at my house tomorrow (says my plumber). I have the Emtek Freestone already so I will do a comparison and make my decision.

I've been at our lake house this week while the project was running full-speed - my DH is not good with chaos. lol. I have RH Strande pulls in my kitchen here and they have a bit of an extension. I've been trying to "hook myself" on them the past couple of days and it's not easy to do. I am taking the advice about clothes-catchers into consideration, however!

Good luck with your decision. I hope they are good matches to the faucet!

@MinnesotaMary I just took a look at the progress on my new home. I'm a little concerned that my pulls almost look copper against the other colors. I suppose I'll get used to them. Here's a pic where you can see the pendants.

On my monitor they don't look copper. You'll never get golds to match so you just want them to compliment each other. I'm sure once your kitchen is completed you won't even notice whatever difference you see. And if you do, just remember that gold and copper work well together.

@Rachel, I agree with @tedbixby1981. Everything just needs to complement each other. I thought the Atlas pulls looked a bit copper-y when I looked at them on my monitor but not in a bad way. And I figured that works better with Delta champagne bronze? I think everything will work for you. Looking great!

Lots going on this past week - I have cabinets installed! Some appliances are in as well. All trim work around new room openings and crown installed and ready for painters. Saw my 3 Taj Mahal slabs to day for templating - more in love than ever! Stayed with the Emtek Freestone and will take our chances on getting pockets ripped. Maybe I'll cook in the nude! Haha!

Here is a sneak peek at before and after cabinets (the orange back hall is going away) as well as one of my slabs. So excited to share my final reveal...eventually!

So exciting to see everything coming together!! LOVE the huge window! Highly recommend a bamboo shade for some texture and fun there - we got ours from Select Blinds and were very happy with the quality.

@MinnesotaMary - Looking FABULOUS !!!! Way to go.

@Beautiful cabinets, were they custom made?

@MinnesotaMary looks beautiful and bright! what Color are the cabinets? Finalizing my cabinet paint color this week and I’m indecisive between BM white dove and capitol white

Thanks, all! It has been an exciting few days - a few blips as well - but I have the best contractor in the world.

@mnmamax3, I agree about getting some texture on that big beautiful window. I will take a look at your source.

J SK, thanks and yes, the cabinets are custom.

B. Spiro, choosing which white was a process. I ended up selecting white dove and love it - it's soft and warm but not too creamy which I was trying to avoid. I think it will really make my Taj Mahal quartzite pop.

@MinnesotaMary thank you!! I have white dove on the walls of the first floor of my house and really love it. I think I’ll stick with it for my cabinets as well. Trying to keep it classic, clean and crisp. :)

B. Spiro, that is what I have decided to do - white dove on all the walls as well. I'm looking forward to a big change!

https://www.selectblinds.com/bambooblinds/premier-woven-wood-shades.html

We got Sumac, but there were a lot of really cool ones we got samples for. If you do decide to cook in the nude to avoid getting caught on the catches, I highly recommend the privacy liner. :) Without it, you can see through it, especially at night when it's lit inside. We had these remade to add the liner. Not cheap, but worth it.

Note that the blinds still look like below with lights on inside (with or without liner), this picture just really shows how see-through it is.

(without liner)

(With liner)

Looks great, Mary! Very different from what you originally thought you'd do!

@MinnesotaMary - How's it going out there? Are you done yet? Would love to see the progress.

@Design Girl, thanks for checking in! I am almost there! Had to have some cabinet drawer fronts fixed and the SZ installer who is booked so far out is finally installing the panels on Monday. Most of the furnishings will be delivered Tuesday and the rest (dining chairs) and couch may not come until later next month. Sheesh, stuff is slow to arrive. I hope to have some photos up later next week!

We spent our first Thanksgiving in our new kitchen! It was so much fun to cook in it and we actually dined in the kitchen because things were small this year. I'm working on getting photos to post a reveal but wanted to give you an idea of the transformation. Here is a before and after of the desk area:

I'll work on getting more pics this weekend!

@MinnesotaMary - WOW - that looks fabulous. Think about what you were initially thinking of doing and what you've actually done. Just beautiful - A real transformation. What did you end up choosing for your pulls. They look great (I'm doing gold as well). I was of course cooking and eating in my OLD kitchen. Hopefully it will be done for next year.

Good night Irene would a change! It looks incredible!

That is beautiful!

Jaw-droppingly beautiful!! Are you in love again?!

I have started a reveal thread! Thanks for all the support, friends.

https://www.houzz.com/discussions/6035318/i-m-in-love-again-my-2020-reveal#n=0

After reading this post, I found that my recently remodeled kitchen is a bit similar to the one the author remodeled. I don't know what brand of cabinets the author used. Mine is from cozyhommie, and it's the first time I bought this brand of cabinets. Can you help me see how mine is, because I'm going to remodel the bathroom next, and I hope to get your good suggestions.